“Lee Seong-hwan, I am still waiting for you.”
47-hour Event to Recite the Names of 80,000 Abductees

Chosun Daily
Apr. 30, 2010


Names of abductees and POWs on lists were called out one by one at an event, that was held on the 29th in the Wonpyo park, Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

A 88-year-old wife, calling for her husband who is now 90,
Kim Bok-nam is calling out the name of her husband’s, Lee Seong-hwan (89), who was abducted by the North during the Korean War.

At around 11 a.m. on the 29th, an old woman slowly climbed the stairs with the help of others and stood on the podium under a ginkgo tree in Wonpyo park, Seoul. Her name was Kim Bok-nam (87). She grabbed a microphone and took a deep breath before calling out her husband’s name. “Lee Seong-hwan!” Her voice trembled slightly, but her pronunciation was clear.

Her husband, Lee Seong-hwan (89), was a brassware factory owner in Cheongnyangni, Seoul, before his abduction. He was abducted by the North Korean Army for the reason that he donated money to the Northwest Youth Corps, a right-wing organization. There has been no news from him since then.
“Another spring has come again, and I am still waiting for you,” said Mrs. Kim. She called out other abductees’ names, too. “Lee Seong-Cheol, Kim Seong-Jae, Kim Sang-ho…” Passersby threw a glance and continued their way.

This event Mrs. Kim participated in was an event to recite the names of abductees and POWs, held by KWAFU and the Family Unions of Korean POWs Detained in North Korea. Participants take turns calling out the names of more than 80,000 abductees for 47 hours non-stop till 10 a.m. on May 1.

KWAFU President Lee Mi-il, Mrs. Kim and Lee Seong-hwan's daughter said, “Not many people know that tens of thousands of South Koreans were abducted by the North. It is my hope that calling out the names of the abductees one by one will enhance public awareness and help people remember them.”

Suzanne Scholte, President of the Defense Forum Foundation, who participated in the event, said that it is shameful not to speak out on the issue of abductees because it is the same as turning a blind eye to the people who fought for their country at the risk of their lives. She also said that the North Korean abductions are just too brutal to bear.

Mr. Yamamoto, a councilor of the task force for Japanese victims of abduction by North Korea, was another participant in the event, said, “The Korean government should put first priority on protecting its people. It should take a hard line on the abductee issue, working together with other countries such as Japan and Thailand.